In the private sector

Overall, Aboriginal people benefited very little from the large number of hiring opportunities in 2000. Their share of hires increased slightly from 1.5% in 1999 to 1.6%, considerably below the 2.1% Census availability. This marginal increase was not enough to increase the overall representation of Aboriginal people, which remained unchanged from the previous year at 1.5%.

Aboriginal people did best in the "other" sector, which includes several large grain companies and mining operations located in the western provinces. Although their share of hires fell from 3.3% in 1999 to 2.3% in 2000, their share of terminations also decreased. As a result, Aboriginal people's representation of 2.4% reached in 1999 was maintained in 2000.

In the transportation sector, Aboriginal people's representation remained unchanged at 1.8%, still somewhat lower than the Census benchmark. Their representation in the communications sector increased slightly from 1.1% to 1.3%, due to an increased share of hires.

It is discouraging to note that Aboriginal people's share of jobs in the banking sector fell from the high of 1.3% achieved in 1998 and 1999, to 1.2% in 2000. This was caused by their share of hires falling from 1.1% to 0.9%, less than half their availability. None of the employers in this sector employed enough Aboriginal people to reach the 1996 Census benchmark of 2.1%. In fact, several of the major banks saw the representation of Aboriginal people decline in their workforces.

In the public sector

In strong contrast to the private sector, the representation of Aboriginals in the public sector increased to 3.6% as of March 31, 2001, compared with 3.3% in the previous year. The increase was largely caused by Aboriginal people receiving a share of hires of 4.6%, which was higher than the 3.9% share of the previous year, and more than double the Census benchmark of 2.1%.

Among federal departments and agencies, the experience of Aboriginal people continues to vary considerably. The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, where Aboriginal people occupy 29.2% of all positions, employs about one in five of all Aboriginal employees in the federal public service. Twenty-six of the 41 departments and agencies with more than 200 employees met the Census benchmark of 2.1%, an increase of three employers from the previous year. Overall, the representation of Aboriginal people increased in 29 departments.

Aboriginal people received 4.6% of all hires in the public service. Their share of hires in all occupational categories, and in both indeterminate and term positions, was substantially higher than the Census benchmark of 2.1%. The volume of staffing actions at the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs has a disproportionate impact on these data. However, progress is being made elsewhere as well: representation increased in 60% of departments and agencies. During audits, the Commission is paying close attention to hiring goals to ensure that Aboriginal people receive equitable treatment in all federal departments and agencies.

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